Detachable drive-chain



J. L. POPE. I Detachable Drive Chain.

Patented -Feb. 8, i881.

. Inf/en for."

UNITED STATES PATENT Orri cn.

JOHN L. POPE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

DETACHABLE DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 237,591, dated February 8, 1881.

Application filed May 16, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. POPE, of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drive-Chains, of which the following, in connection with the accompanyin g drawings, is a full, clear, and eXact description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a detachable drive-chain embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a section in the plane of the line as a: of Fig. 1, the severed link being represented as turned up at right angles to the other; and Fig. 3is a horizontal section through the articulated parts of the links.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to provide improved means for the purpose of articulating, detachably, the links ofdrive-chains; and to that end my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, substantially as hereinafter set forth, which I employ for that purpose.

A A represent rectangular links, and a a are the side bars and b b the end bars thereof.

B is' a cylindrical coupling-bar, connected rigidly to the bar I) by means of an intervening neck, 0, and the ends of the bar B each have therein a curvilinear notch, d, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

O is a central opening in the bar I), and this opening is of such a width as to receive the neck 0. The rear edge or face of the parts constituting the bar b are cut or curved to receive the bar B, as shown in Fig. 2, and as indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3. The interior edges or faces of the bars a a are cut away, as shown at e e, to receive the pro- 40 jecting parts formed by the notches d d.

If it be understood that the bars a a are cylindrical, or, at least, have rounded inner edges a little way back from the bar 11, it will be perceived that the bar B may be arranged so as to have a sliding engagement therewith, as will further appear on reference to Fig. 2, and that the said bar may then be pushed along until its ends are opposite the depressions e 6, when, in order to complete the coupling of the links, it will only be necessary to turn either the bar B or the link in which it lies until the projections formed by the notches d d fall behind the shoulders formed by the depressions e c, as indicated in Fig. 3. Both links will then lie in the same plane, but may be turned on thejoint thus made without danger of being detached from each other under ordinary circumstances. They may, however, be easily detached, at will, by turning one up at about right angles to the other, so as to release the bar B from the depressions e c, and then sliding the said bar back upon the side bars, and turning it on its vertical axis until it can be wholly separated from them.

I am aware that open links having a T- shaped coupling attachment on one end and an open end bar on the other, recessed to receive the arms of the said attachment, have heretofore been made; but the said links can be uncoupled from each other by folding them together sufficiently for that purpose, and without being moved longitudinally one along the other, the links being made free from each other by the said folding movement only, and being incapable of being moved longitudinally in the manner and for the purpose hereinoefore described; and I do not therefore hereintend to claim links so constructedthat islto say, so as to beincapable of the said sisting of the side bars, a a, continuous end bar, 1), coupling B O, and open end bar, 0', the latter having therein the recesses e 0, opening toward the bar I), and extending laterally beyond the interior edges or faces of the side bars, and the ends of the bar B having therein the notches d 01, thereby adapting the bar B to a sliding engagement longitudinally on or along the side bars, and admitting of the coupling tnd uncoupling of the links only when the notches d d are turned to receive the side bars, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

JOHN L. POPE. Witnesses:

Orcro ARNOLD, D. J. BARNES. 

